First off, no - I'm not sick.  Yes, I've been hydrating and drinking a lot of water + taking a multivitamin.  I'm in my mid-40's.  6'2" and weigh 285 lbs.  

However, I didn't just arbitrarily decide to do this fast... story as to why I am doing it is at the bottom of my post in green if interested (I didn't put it in line in case you're only interested in how it is to not have any calories for 5+ days).

So, on the calorie fasting, my experience is that day 1 was difficult, but not too bad.  I've done a lot of 24-hours fasts previously and the key is to be distracted by other things - for me, that thing was pain.  Day 2 was considerably more difficult - I was very hungry, but the pain involved in thinking about knowing that if I ate something, that I would eventually need to move to get up to use the toilet motivated me to not want to bother to eat since that would be very painful in my current state.  That was motivation enough to get through day 2.  Day 3, hunger pretty much subsided, if my stomach growled, I just drank another 12oz of water and felt "full".  I did start to get a minor headache, so I increased my water consumption. Day 4 was easier than day 3, but headache persisted, albeit very minor.  I attributed it to my body going into ketosis - but hunger and stomach growling was pretty much non-existent.  Day 5, largely the same.  Now into day 6, I feel great.  Headache gone, still not really hungry...  my back pain is mostly gone and is more 'soreness' from some minor muscle atrophy.  I try to stretch a bit more each day and push myself a bit more each day.  I walk with crutches to support me just in case, but can walk very slowly without them.  I did meander to the scale and weighed in at 268 lbs this morning.  I know most of that is water weight despite me trying to keep fully hydrated.  On day 2 and day 4, I did drink a 20 oz of Powerade-Zero, which I did mostly for the benefit of the electrolytes (and getting tired of only water), but in retrospect, I should have probably just stuck with water.  I found out within 24 hours that despite that stuff being liquid and zero calories, the body still digests it as "food" so it comes out - but not as urine.  

As for today, I do plan on participating in our family dinner this evening, which will be homemade beef and broccoli with cauliflower rice (the kids get normal rice - lol).  Total will be less than 2g of carbs, so it shouldn't affect ketosis for me.

Next week I plan to continue eating calorie-deficit and low/no carbs, mixing some of the following into meals: chicken breasts in air fryer, broccoli (yeah, I actually like it), zero-carb beef jerky for snacks, some pork rinds if I need some crunch/salt, scrambled eggs (4:1 egg-white ratio), string cheese and occasionally a can of progresso soup with low carbs.  I'm trying to turn this into a good thing and get back to my 205 lb weight I was at 2 years ago.  The lockdown really accelerated some bad eating habits and no more going to the gym or swimming laps like I used to do 4 days a week prior and it really added up.

I also am going to start doing a morning stretch routine.  I never want to experience the back pain issue like I did - ever again - and stretching each morning should probably contribute to avoiding it, along with me getting back to a healthy weight.

FWIW, I use MyFitnessPal (which I've used for 7 years now, but coincidentally stopped about 2 years ago ), and never used any fad diets - just consumed less calories than my body needed to maintain my weight.




So, what happened to cause this calorie-fast?

On Tuesday, I had a normal late breakfast of some scrambled eggs and a banana muffin along with some toast.  I finished packing up our SUV for the ride home from our cabin up north and was watching our dog in the front yard do her business when out of the blue I felt an absolutely excruciating pain in my lower back - pain like I had never felt before and I've had more than my fair share of broken bones, including a shattered ankle held together with pins.  This pain in my lower back was like no other.  I immediately staggered and then froze, mostly upright because I knew if I went to the ground, it may be difficult to get up and didn't want to frighten my kids and wife.  I supported myself by the tailgate of our vehicle.  I felt a pulsating, acute pain in my lower back.  I had no pain in my legs, no tingling and it remained localized in my lower back - but it hurt like nothing I've ever felt before in my life.  I was sure I had just pulled a muscle or ligament despite not having dome anything that would have caused it within the last 30 seconds.  I couldn't move for 5 mins, but even standing still really hurt - however any movement made it considerably worse.  I was finally able to stagger back into the house, and my wife dragged a bar chair over to me so I could try to move to a seated position.  After 3 mins of trying, I finally was able to sit down.  I still felt pain, but not as much if I didn't move and it hurt a bit less than standing.

Anyway, my wife drove us home (moving 30 feet into the SUV was a painful 15-minute chore that involved using multiple barstools as support for me to move from one to the other) and the 2-hour drive home in the passenger seat was not pleasant.  Getting out of the car and moving right to bed was painful, but eased up a lot when I was completely flat, as long as I didn't move at all.

I didn't go to any medical facility or get any prescription meds - though I know those could have helped...  I'm just stubborn like that.  We did call my doctor and he agreed that it sounded like a pulled muscle, which is all about giving it time and managing the pain.  My wife tried to get me to go to the Urgent Care to get the shot to numb my back, but I refused.  I pretty much laid in bed for several days to rest it up. I did take some Tylenol on occasion each day, but tapered it off and by day 4, wasn't using any.  I did try to stretch a bit more each day in bed - just to the point of pain.  I also did try a TENS unit from CVS that my wife picked up.  I was skeptical, but it did seem to help.  I also would 'massage' my lower back with some racquetballs over the areas that hurt - and that helped as well.  I did also use a heating pad on occasion.  I should have alternated with ice, but just stuck with the heating pad - that did help with the pain as well.  I did get progressively better and more mobile each day with less pain associated with movements.

All-in-all, not a pain I'd ever like to experience again, but was kinda the kick-in-the-pants motivator for me to get back to a normal weight, make some other changes (stretching daily!) and not let an outside factor like a lockdown prevent me from sticking to eating appropriately.

Good luck man.  I hope your back heals and you accomplish your goal.  I admire someone trying to make positive life changes.  I should make a few myself...

You've described to a Tee what set mine off.  I had herniated discs. You need physical therapy, an understanding of disc mechanics, and Robin McKenzie's "How To Treat Your Own Back".  

Keep your lower back in lordosis, lie on your stomach, arms down beside you for 15 minute sessions.  

Honestly, it sounds like you have bulging discs and are experiencing muscle spasms.  Hurts like a MF.

I have the book I loan out to friends, and it's free to loan to you if you want.  IM me if you want and I'll send it.

TLDR?

GD is that way --->

I’m totally interested, but that was super long winded. Sorry I hurt your feelings. Hope your fast goes well and you accomplish your goal(s).

I thought the common symptom of a bulging or herniated disk is leg pain or tingling.  Either way, I will look into that as well.  It's not something I want to experience ever again, for sure.

Not sure why you think you "hurt my feelings" .  Just seemed odd that you'd take the time or effort to jump in with the intent to read, but then actually make a post just to tell us all that it was too long and you didn't read it.  Seems like a GD response to increase post count - not something to post in a non GD forum.

Either way, OK.  Thanks?

That is one of them.  Back spasms that are "extreme" lower back pain is caused by bulging disks onto nerves causing the muscles to clamp up.  
If you aren't experience numbness in an extremity, incontinence, or bladder control you can most likely get it under control with physical therapy.  Some that have had a disk issue get it resolved with minor surgery.  
I'm not a doctor, but I've experience near 20 of the episodes you mentioned in the last 4 years.  
Before the spasms I never experience leg pain or tingling.  Put a pillow behind your lower back when you drive, don't slouch.  
I had X-Rays, MRI's and went to a spine specialist who recommended the book mentioned above.  

Please watch.  Also I am not a doctor, just concerned.

In red; I couldn't even fathom how you can handle that!  

Thanks, I will give the video a watch.  But no - no issues with bladder control, incontinence or numbness/tingling in any extremities.  

I do have a desk job, so I am sitting in a chair for 8 hours a day.  5 years ago, I did invest in a good quality Herman Miller Aeron chair with lumbar support, headrest, etc...

I am definitely going to be more conscious about how I sit and how often I get up and stretch while working.

Good luck.  I'll say a prayer for you tonight.

The fat intake in the meals you described seem pretty low for Keto.

Also, full eggs and bacon.

With the question mark there, TLDR is merely a request for some kind soul to post a synopsis. It’s not the same as “tldr” with an eye roll emoji.

Didn't eat anything last night after all.  Now into my 7th day of not eating anything or ingesting any calories and I feel great.

Back is also healing well.

About 3 years ago, I woke up to get ready for work. Tried to stand but my legs wouldnt work. I tweaked my back HARD in 2011 and had occasional issues with it. This by far the worst. It hurt sooooo bad. I tried using my arms on the edge of the bed to get my legs under me. No dice. Had to call a buddy to let my lab out since she was trapped in the room with me. He brought crutches and I was able to use them to get my legs going. They said it was just an extreme spasm and gave me some muscle relaxers.

Of course this is when I am packing Uhaul pods to move all the way across the country. Wife was already here in Idaho for work and I was moving and selling our house in Virginia.

Never want to go through that again. I workout, stretch, and try to eat right. Still have the crutches and tens unit just in case.

Best of luck to you!

@jtb33
Any updates ?

Had a similar situation happen to me after a move. Got up to stand and legs went out like a light. Couldn't feel shit from the waist down.

Regained feeling and control over the next 4 hrs or so. Scared the shit out of me. I've since lost a bunch of weight but could always improve.

Sure!   I am down to 255.5 lbs as of this morning.  I've been continuing to use MyFitnessPal for calorie tracking and my average daily intake is about 1500 calories per day and I do not feel hungry.  I usually eat one meal and a few light snacks.  A typical day would be an apple in the late morning (that I slice into about 20-30 apple "chips" so that it takes me longer to eat it), then around 1pm, I usually have two turkey sandwiches (using Keto bread) I make myself with 1.5 oz pork rinds and a cup of zero sugar jello.  

Later in the early evening, I have 2 carbmaster yogurts and 10-20 lightly salted almonds.   If I am feeling hungry, I put some marinating chicken breasts into the air fryer and have that along with some broccoli.  

Have not felt hungry at all, which has been key for me.  On occasion, I throw in some People's Choice Beef Jerky.  

The other key is that I have not had any soft drinks (diet or otherwise) and not had any sugary items.

So I've lost about 30 pounds so far and seem to be averaging about 2-3 pounds per week.  Right now, this is only my eating - I have not re-added my exercise regimen back to my schedule.  

I feel really good and am happy with the progress and speed.  

How is your back feeling?  Any more soreness or spasms?

Thanks.  Forgot to add that part.  Back is 100% back to normal; no issues.  It got progressively better; overall I'd say that it was about 3-4 weeks or so to get completely back to pain/problem-free.  I didn't go to any doctor during any of it, nor take any prescription meds and based on anecdotal evidence, I assume it was a pulled muscle.

I am trying to be much more aware - I try to sit with a good posture (since I sit in a chair for my entire workday, essentially), and I try to stretch in the mornings and throughout the day.  Once I drop the remainder of the bulk weight, I look forward to getting back to my typical exercise regimen and have hopefully learned my lesson to avoid relapse back into gaining weight.  

Jtb

That doesn't sound like a muscle spasm to me. You did do some leaning over to load the vehicle, but typically spasms don't sneak up on you later from experience and reading. Worst one I ever got, I lifted up my leg to dry it off after showering. Not a karate kick or anything abrupt, lift my leg up because my back hurt to bend over.

This sounds like a kidney stone. Sometimes onset can ramp up, but most of mine have felt like being stabbed with an ice pick. Pain then radiates, sometimes to the opposite side, sometimes towards my groin, etc. Stone pain hurts like nothing else I've ever experienced.

I'm happy this was the catalyst for you to lose weight, but, again, out of my lane, a week fast seems awfully severe for a body not really used to it.

If you thought you had a 'slipped disc' or nerve impaction causing the spasms, seems like you'd really want some imaging done. That sort of stuff never ever gets better on its own. Even if you have to cash pay in installments.

If it's a stone, either you passed it, or it moved.

Lower back is nothing to screw around with. I've been forcing myself to do belly exercises, and it has helped my back issues tremendously.

Good luck, and also, I'm new to this subforum, so... hello

McKenzie exercises are magical.